The first week of free agency has come and gone, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster looks markedly different than it did last Monday, when the legal negotiating period began.

The Bucs, of course, had some big hits, losing Mike Evans and Jamel Dean, and while the latter was perhaps expected, the former was a body blow to the organization, fans, and the community.

Still, a lot happened between signings and departures, so which players and what roster areas were the big winners and losers from the week?

Winner — Bucs’ pass defense in the middle of the field

LB Alex Anzalone is an elixir do an ailment that’s plagued the Bucs — and inability to cover opposing tight ends, running backs, and receivers over the middle of the field. Anzalone is one of the better coverage linebackers on an every-down basis in the NFL and seems to be in the right place at the right time way more often than not.

An instinctive player, he immediately slots into a starting role and elevates Todd Bowles defense in the middle of the field. There should be far, far less examples of the Bucs’ linebackers chasing a receiver from two or three yards behind after getting fooled or being out of position.

Winner — CB Benjamin Morrison

The Bucs saw Jamel Dean leave in free agency for Pittsburgh, signing a three-year, $36.75 million contract with the Steelers. With Zyon McCollum locked into one starting outside cornerback spot, Morrison is the logical replacement on the other side, at least as far as who’s on the roster now.

Morrison didn’t have the greatest rookie season, appearing in only 10 games while dealing with a nagging hamstring issue. But Jacob Parrish, who has the nickel position on lock after a terrific rookie season, could push to compete with Morrison on the boundary as well this offseason.

That said, the bottom line is the Bucs didn’t do anything to address Dean’s departure with another acquisition, and that feels like a win for Morrison — and a statement from the organization.

Winner — Diversity in Zac Robinson’s playbook

The Bucs’ new offensive coordinator won’t get to work with Evans, which is obviously a shame. However, Jason Licht still delivered a few important pieces that will help Robinson diversify his game plan.

Kenneth Gainwell is a true chess piece that can be deployed heavily in the pass game and is a mismatch against linebackers. Sean Tucker’s return gives the Bucs that thunder they didn’t have in the backfield. As far as having a big target in the passing game, Cade Otton has shown the ability to take on targets, which we saw during the middle of 2024 with Evans and Chris Godwin, Jr. missing time, where Otton became Baker Mayfield’s primary option.

Loser — the Bucs’ pass rush

The Al-Quadin Muhammad signing was a sneaky good one, and I wrote about how he was worth adding as a situational pass rusher. He’ll give some juice on obvious passing downs, and the Bucs have to take what they can get.

But at the end of the day, there were a number of potential impact options, and they all signed elsewhere for, admittedly, significant sums. That’s not to say the team didn’t try, but at the end of the day, all that matters is results, and the Bucs don’t have much to show for it right now.

Absent a first round impact rusher or a trade for Maxx Crosby, things are looking scary at edge for 2026, and not in a good way.

Loser — LB SirVocea Dennis

It didn’t seem like the Bucs were going to be content to run it back with their linebacking corps from last season, and they proved quickly they weren’t, adding Anzalone as one of their first moves in free agency.

While that doesn’t close the door on Dennis having a starting shot, depending on what Lavonte David decides as far as return or retirement, it’s one starting spot taken up for next season. With a promising but injury-shortened 2024 season well in the rearview mirror, it’s put up or shut up time this offseason for Dennis as far as his future in Tampa Bay.

Loser — the Bucs’ red zone offense

Evans’ departure certainly stings for the fan base and the organization, but it could end up being a true kick in the teeth when the team gets on the doorstep. Evans was as good as anyone in the NFL in being able to go up and get a slant or fade inside the five-yard line for a touchdown.

The Bucs don’t have that player on their roster right now, at least certainly in their wide receiver room. And while Otton filled in nicely in 2024 and has the size, he doesn’t have that same skill set.

The Bucs turned too many sevens into threes last year on offense, and while the hope is Robinson’s game plan — and better health from Bucky Irving and on the offensive line — will help that, Evans’ role won’t easily be replaced, even with a talented and deep wide receiver room.